Endometriosis: Frequently Asked Questions
What is endometriosis?
The endometrium is the tissue that lines the uterus. Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue in places where it is not normally found. Common sites of involvement are the ovaries, space behind the uterus (cul-de-sac, rectum, uterosacral ligaments) and urinary bladder. Endometriosis is usually confined to the pelvis.
Source: www.csmc.edu
Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of tissue which is histologically identical to endometrium (the inner lining of the uterine wall) outside the uterine cavity.
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Endometriosis is normal tissue (similar to endometrium that lines the uterus) in the wrong place. Common sites of involvement are: ovaries; space behind the uterus (cul-de-cac, rectum, uterosacral ligaments); and urinary bladder. Endometriosis is usually confined to the pelvis.
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Endometriosis is the occurrence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It is estimated that 3-10% of women in the reproductive age have endometriosis. The major symptoms of Endometriosis are abdominal pain, especially during menstruation and during coitus. While there are many theories as to the causes, we still do not know exactly what causes endometriosis or how it affects fertility.
Source: www.nordica.org
Endometriosis is a common health problem in women. It gets its name from the word endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus (womb). In women with this problem, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus in other areas. These areas can be called growths, tumors, implants, lesions, or nodules. ...
Source: 4woman.gov
Is there a cure for endometriosis?
In order to find a cure, you need to know the cause. Although there are different ways to treat endometriosis , there is no cure; the cause is unknown.
Source: www.womenshealthmatters.ca
But it can be treated, and for many women it is possible to manage their symptoms through a combination of long term treatments. >> More about treatments
Source: www.endometriosis.org
To find a cure, you need to know the cause. Although there are different ways to treat endometriosis , there is no cure; the cause is unknown.
Source: www.womenshealthmatters.ca
IS ENDOMETRIOSIS INHERITED?
The cause for endometriosis is not yet known, but research does show that first-degree relatives of women with this disease are more likely to develop endometriosis. >> More about the causes of endometriosis >> More information about the genetics of endometriosis
Source: www.endometriosis.org
IS ENDOMETRIOSIS CANCER?
Endometriosis cysts are sometimes referred to as "beningn tumours", because they may "behave similarly" to cancer, but endometriosis is not the same disease. In very rare cases, endometriotic implants has lead to cancer, but this is very very rare. Some research suggests that some women with endometriosis may be at a slightly higher risk of developing certain cancers but this is still controversial. >> More about endometriosis and cancer
Source: www.endometriosis.org
Can Endometriosis be prevented?
There is no current manner of preventing Endometriosis, and it is not a disease which is "contracted" or "caused" by anything the patient did - nor is it contagious. It is, however, highly suspected to be genetic. I heard tampons and sex can prevent Endo. There was a study done on this by a major institution and it was all over the news, so it must be true. False. While it makes for flashy headlines, there is absolutely zero conclusive evidence that tampons or sexual activity will prevent Endometriosis. ...
Source: www.endocenter.org
What is the treatment for endometriosis?
Treatment of Endometriosis depends upon the problem you present to us with. The pain in endometriosis can be dealt with over the counter painkillers or with progesterone or oral contraceptive pills. However when you present with Infertility, the treatment is entirely different and requires aggressive therapy. This is because Endometriosis is a progressive disease and the longer you wait the more severe it becomes. ...
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Endometriosis can be treated surgically or medically. The first-line treatment for pain is usually over-the-counter or prescription-strength analgesics such as Ibuprofen (Advil) or Naprosyn (Aleve), which can be given presumptively, based on symptoms without a definite diagnosis. If these medications are insufficient at relieving the symptoms, the next step is a laparoscopy for diagnosis and treatment. Surgery is the best treatment for the pain of endometriosis. ...
Source: www.haveababy.com
The treatment of endometriosis depends on the age of the patient, the extent of the endometriosis, the symptoms, and the women's plans for future pregnancy. The treatment options include observation, pain medication, hormonal treatments, and/or surgery.
Source: www.askphysicians.com
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Progressively increasing menstrual cramping may be a symptom of endometriosis. These are caused by contractions of uterine muscle initiated by prostaglandins released from the endometrial tissue. A puzzling feature of endometriosis is that the degree of pain it causes is not related to the extent of the disease. Some women with extensive disease feel no pain at all. A woman with endometriosis may notice that as the disease progresses her periods become more painful or that the pain begins earlier or lasts longer. ...
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Endometriosis can cause pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic area before, during, and after menstruation, and irregular or heavy bleeding during menstruation. Other common symptoms include pain during sexual intercourse and pain when passing stools or urinating.
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Approximately 15% of all women during the childbearing years develop some degree of endometriosis before reaching menopause. The most common symptoms of the disease are pre-menstrual and menstrual pain, heavy or irregular bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse and urinary or bowel problems in conjunction with menstruation. In more serious cases, scar tissue may form on the ovary or fallopian tube, thus causing infertility.
Source: www.thomasllyons.com
The symptoms of endometriosis are varied, depending upon the sites of the lesions and upon the activity of the disease. The most common symptoms and signs are pain, infertility and disturbances of menstrual flow. For more information on the symptoms of endometriosis, please see Symptoms of Endometriosis.
Source: www.haveababy.com
What causes endometriosis?
No one knows for sure what causes endometriosis or why some women have this condition, but it can run in families. There are a number of theories about how endometriosis actually develops. One theory is based on the belief that menstrual fluid that normally flows out of the vagina moves backwards up into the uterus (retrograde menstruation). Pieces of the uterine lining in this fluid attach themselves and grow on other organs. ...
Source: www.cwhn.ca
One of the most puzzling conditions affecting women, the cause of endometriosis is not yet known. The most common theory, however, is that "retrograde menstruation" causes some of the menstrual tissue to back up through the fallopian tubes and implant in the abdomen. Endometrial cells in the menstrual fluid may then attach themselves to various sites in the pelvic cavity and cause growths.
Source: www.thomasllyons.com
Although there are several theories, the cause of Endometriosis remains unclear. One of the most popular theories is that it occurs a result of back-flow of menstrual blood into the abdominal cavity via the tubes during a normal period. This doesn't really stand up because doctors have now discovered this occurs normally in most women. It's more likely that the causes of Endometriosis are more complex. ...
Source: www.wafi-egypt.com
How is endometriosis treated?
Endometriosis can be treated with medications, surgical excision, or combination of the two methods. You should discuss the treatment options with your gynecologist.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
physician can only definitively diagnose endometriosis using a surgical procedure called laparoscopy. During this minor outpatient surgical procedure, a slender light-transmitting microscope, the laparoscope, is inserted through a tiny incision in the abdomen, often the navel so the scar will be invisible. Before insertion of the laparoscope, the abdomen is filled with carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide to help separate the intestines from the pelvic organs. ...
Source: www.thomasllyons.com
Having a history of symptoms suggests a high likelihood of Endometriosis. An ultra-sound scan of your pelvic region may be helpful, because when Endometriosis occurs on the ovaries it often causes readily visible cysts. Ultimately, the best method of diagnosing Endometriosis is to perform an operation called a Laparoscopy, a keyhole operation to look directly into the abdomen and pelvis, allowing an accurate diagnosis to be made. ...
Source: www.wafi-egypt.com
Diagnosis of endometriosis begins with a gynecologist evaluating the patient's medical history. A complete physical exam, including a pelvic examination, is also necessary. However, diagnosis of endometriosis is only complete when proven by a laparoscopy, a minor surgical procedure in which a laparoscope (a tube with a light in it) is inserted into a small incision in the abdomen.
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The doctor can give you a probable diagnosis with an examination. Definite diagnosis is only possible through laparoscopic inspection. « Back
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Does endometriosis affect fertility?
Many women with endometriosis are able to become pregnant naturally. Endometriosis has not affected their fertility. About 40% of women with endometriosis have difficulty becoming pregnant. This can be predominantly related to impaired ovarian and fallopian tube function. Other causes may be related to immunological changes or chemical changes in the pelvic cavity. The improvement in fertility rates following surgical excision for endometriosis is as high as 40-60%, with successful fertility following surgery.
Source: www.endometriosis-ascot.co.nz
Does pregnancy cure endometriosis?
Pregnancy often suppresses the symptoms of endometriosis during the pregnancy and sometimes for a period of time following delivery. However, women with endometriosis usually find that their symptoms return some time after delivery.
Source: www.endometriosis-ascot.co.nz
Why is endometriosis a problem?
Although endometriosis is not a life-threatening condition, it may seriously impair your quality of life as it may cause painful periods, pain with sexual intercourse, bowel and ovulation pain, lower backache and infertility
Source: www.womenslaparoscopic.co.nz
How common is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is believed to affect 15% of women during their reproductive years. Endometriosis is believed to be the cause of approximately 25% of cases of infertility.
Source: www.askphysicians.com
